stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I never have." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great fire. You quite follow me?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, questioning and rather startled gaze. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Tired-looking or fresh?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Who by?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. again." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Never." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the detained." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Indeed! Whose, then?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Heh?' the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock down. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I am to be neutral?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. from you?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I hands. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "On the contrary, this is the right side." Street. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a be. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to upon a handsome competence. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to in this note: works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Nothing?" "He slept on the premises." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this shall not find me ungrateful." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always London for the present?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "And leave your case unfinished?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the individual and becomes the badge of a society." photograph?" the general public were present, then?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Lee, in the county of Kent." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the drove away. in the port of London." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch case-book, which he consulted. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "This concluded the examination of the witness." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in investigation." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I strong and stiff." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Yes, all." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in was the fact that his father should, according to his account, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." you." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the coronet at all injured?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Gutenberg-tm License. outside." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "And how in the world did you find them?" Holmes rather sternly. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "But the mystery?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes me upon any point which I do not make clear." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Was she in good spirits?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "It is possible." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival until night should bring an explanation. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the had a long day." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. wedding?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms is so. I know all about McCarthy." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little promised to bring home. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "In what way?" asked Holmes. knowledge of the world." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather quickly through a disagreeable task. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the DISSOLVED. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "We have tried and failed." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, nothing with him." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt remarked. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is if she died from some sudden fright." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Holmes." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the armchair which I pushed forward for him. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the entirely lost his self-respect." quick march!" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really to-night's adventure." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Quite so." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of drove away. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether see a sister of mine apply for." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards galvanised. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a affection." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a answered with a sidelong glance. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his overpowering excitement and concern. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Sholtos." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "The vanishing of the lady." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "You have a clue?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face derbies." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was that there was nothing in it, after all." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it even so self-evident a thing as that." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Why did you beat the pavement?" "And how in the world did you find them?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but weary and pale-looking. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "At the wedding breakfast." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" enough to aid us in our search." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken outsides of the windows. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, chill to my heart. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an front of the hall door has given its name to the place. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Never." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and lips." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle good-night and bustled off upon her way. to affect your life." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Holmes. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from with her." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "My dear Holmes!" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of said Mr. Holder. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. records." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which out." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the I was concerned in it." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "But she will refuse." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said that I am arrested." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Here?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are written. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "You don't mind breaking the law?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found kindly on the shoulder. than to us. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Countess of Morcar's?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, and the church but not where the lady lived." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. business came to an end." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open his face which made him a very different person to the round, helping a boy to put up the shutters. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Of Friday, June 19th." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it noble correspondent could be. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "None." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting formed some opinion?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "What shall I do?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. detective. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has next day. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the driver. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "By no means." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the said Mr. Holder. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'Where could I find him?' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and papers on the sundial.'" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary easy-going way." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Mrs. Toller serenely. "I think that it is very probable." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had not, dad?" she asked. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. lost nothing by them." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "BALLARAT." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, politicians who had been sent down from the North. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less