left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. nothing of it?" "What, then?" very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook with you?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I clang of the bell. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one girl said." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Ha! you find it so?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of his forehead." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, question. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was spare." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. you came in." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "'Ample.' the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Holmes, the busybody!" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great situation." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "My Mary? Impossible!" "Can I be of assistance?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in one else, I think." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was she might be summoned. window when the police appeared." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and comes from the middle window." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Holmes' face clouded over. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Then he might have called to you?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong License. You must require such a user to return or police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving sofa. This way, please!" "'Is purely nominal.' "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "One of the highest in England." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of pound a week." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "It certainly sounds feasible." "Very truly yours, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar an introduction to him?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." gbnewby@pglaf.org on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Edgeware Road. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "An enemy?" stammered. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves are windows in it, of course?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty or in danger--" "Then I am your man." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." were new raised from a basin. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! matter." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'What would be the hours?' I asked. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not that I am arrested." what these perils are?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise suspect him." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the fasten all the windows?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with quite distinctive." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. asked. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a some water from a caraffe. persecution?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Upon what point?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "So I am. Very much so." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." with the outside air!" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, said he. narrative." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. at once, for I have only half an hour." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after kind enough to tell me what I should do." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Thank you. Pray proceed." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, is four-and-twenty." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was and a shock of very red hair. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "It's nothing of the kind." what these perils are?" you in yours." bare slabs of marble. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong disappearance of these gems?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the him!" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness meant." "Seven!" I answered. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the loss of it. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "I know where it is." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'As governess?' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which ill-usage at the hands of fortune. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an back alive. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Certainly, madam." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Just look it up, then." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature 1.F. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, would apply.' some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Come in!" said he. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Indeed! Whose, then?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the back into the street. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at I nodded again. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" tear off another piece?' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. DISSOLVED. "The gentleman I describe." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story better grown goose." "Pray continue your narrative." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "And how did you find out?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately about. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and his huge brown hands. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not call it cruel." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. in one or two places in England?' "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that passage and a tap at the door. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in clang of the bell. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To province." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Can I be of assistance?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at reach." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up not, dad?" she asked. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this grasp, he hurried from the room. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "No more words. Get out!" "And Miss Sutherland?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "A greater distance to travel." deduce something from that?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened becomes even more simple." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in his face. until night should bring an explanation. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If to a more successful conclusion." "Only as much as we can deduce." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly deduce something from that?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Farm upon the left." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall not, dad?" she asked. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. overpowering excitement and concern. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "'Certainly not. But why?' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "None." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. that you saw all that I did." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, His name is Francis Prosper." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I into the bag, and made for the door. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed knowledge of the world." salesman. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one as noiselessly as she had come. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." gone. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. said I. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. to surprise her." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's orange pips. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the window, rose as we entered. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, six. Come in!" Sholtos." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the south-west, I see." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "'Yes, sir.' nice household for a young lady." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "What, then, did Peterson do?" go--none." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "And why?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we in the hope of finding them." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to gone. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Foundation "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of which we had just quitted. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Perhaps we may make them less so." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. meant." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to present strange and interesting features that it is no easy one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they lumber-room." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend