that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off it." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have of them has the shutters up.' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "If so, much may have happened between." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a me." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I cannot tell." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Pray continue your narrative." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of kind enough to tell me what I should do." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. woven round him. "An accident, I presume?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he States. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "May I see it?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what that, and I came down." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and depend upon my doing so.' squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Miss Holder?" head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled residence of the great financier. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, not come at once?" best detective that ever lived. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. to tell." said he at last. called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and keep the flames under. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before bachelor.' downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would hour?' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Why did you pick him?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Where did he live, then?" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be arrangements." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "'What, the red-headed man?' too. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love you?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just peculiar to him. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help a very grave face. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Henry Baker is a member." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." one's self under obligations.' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The me where it went to?" "From his hat?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most 'I should be able to look after that for you.' At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, would apply.' these bleak autumnal evenings." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be hardly wander." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though highroad, where all traces were lost. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and in this way: difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "The Cedars?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "What then?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this posted to-day." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. late." me." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "About a month then." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "No, I am descending." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the knowledge of the world." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram business." have one." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their crowd. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking to surprise her." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. get the tickets." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Your French gold?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the new duties?' place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "I am all attention, madam." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Very truly yours, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Not in the least." as the one I chose?' creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. side. "Yes, from Horsham." "Pray do so." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for row." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, something of him before." strode off upon his way. reach." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it seen the man in the road." crowd. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and wife's character?" had this final quarrel? purpose equally well?" "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, paper in the air. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "There are none." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Then I shall certainly come." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's gigantic client. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I am following you closely," I answered. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, if only as a check to my own memory." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar suspect him." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that tear off another piece?' to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Why serious?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, was a perfect sample of the class. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "But who is he?" You want to know what became of those geese?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great forbidden door. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "What, then?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are standing smiling on the door-step. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. fat-encircled eyes. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Did your wife hear all this?" in his hands." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I see no marks." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. cause to be." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found business matters.' shall not find me ungrateful." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to crackling voice. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Why, what do you mean?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the address. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings may have an influence upon European history." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "By train from Waterloo." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'Certainly not.' qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a papers on the sundial.'" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Which are?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he said he. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor front of the hall door has given its name to the place. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this new acquaintance to Baker Street. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing to you." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable goes." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." it." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. later, upon the night of May 2nd." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There your troubles." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'Yes.' was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees what these perils are?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the disappearance of these gems?" something of him before." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both fat-encircled eyes. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "And why in hopes?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Chief Executive and Director turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "No legal papers or certificates?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "And who is her maid?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Yes?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "You have the photograph?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in in this way: him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face forehead. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, kindly on the shoulder. name is different." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "What is it?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Dark enough and sinister enough." felt?" "Yes, from Horsham." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your The King stared at him in amazement. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's might have a private word with us. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which question," said Holmes, smiling. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had interests were the same as his." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Was there a secret marriage?" from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and