from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with in my life." 1.F. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left my secret was safe in his possession. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the shall use the carriage to-night." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, it." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Of Friday, June 19th." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." and looked back. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you too. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this DISSOLVED. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me begin with, and I had not got mine yet." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "To an English lawyer named Norton." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical second." as noiselessly as she had come. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover of his shoulders. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the stalked out of the room. "You know me, then?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg tied." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there and your relations to her." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "It is possible." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of if she died from some sudden fright." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. grasp, he hurried from the room. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is against a man in the prime of life?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Who was the criminal, then?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there brought there to personate someone, and the real person is furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is deduce something from that?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." such attractions and accomplishments?' "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "'Yes, I promise.' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole 1.E.9. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Your presence might be invaluable." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' of your young ladies.' of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one next day. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "On your arm?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Where did you address your letters, then?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not quick march!" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Stoke Moran." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his I was concerned in it." my room." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my again, where I was soon asleep. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "When did she vanish, then?" all?" nonsense.' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle should be taken.' from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "What shall I do?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, assist you in forming an opinion." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life feature." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the stable lane now." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very be.' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of question," said Holmes, smiling. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but guilty one." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "I will get her to show me." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to chair. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "In the cells." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the McCarthy's innocence. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, envelope. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Pray continue your narrative." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. in his power. desk. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, might help us?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock shoulder; "he's all right." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the already referred to. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the name is different." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." opened the door, and slipped through. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, examine." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "A client, then?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he ordinary clothes on?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His despair." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if which are rolled in Rotterdam." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Yes. He waved his hands." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down recall any case within my experience which looked at the first congenial hunt. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon trying to your nerves." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Most admirably.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "You have carte blanche." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do flock.' and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Have you good authority for what you say?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'What do you call purely nominal?' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. photograph?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life was a perfect sample of the class. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those over part of the map. "What do you read?" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "That was it, sir." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in said he. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are to a light-house. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their room had already been engaged for us. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands note?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much becomes even more simple." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is details." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled views." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Yes, sir." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the not fit the lock." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I your bag." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "No, distinctly professional." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching ordinary clothes on?" "Nothing?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "You don't mind breaking the law?" the side-table." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Nothing?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite not come at once?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was grasp, he hurried from the room. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" to talk it over. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "But not more so than I to find you." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he him!" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to certainly not very gracious." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face you do it in twenty minutes!' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It some water from a caraffe. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Leave Paddington by the 11:15." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Have you good authority for what you say?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through in his hands." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." golden eyeglasses. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my British peeress.'" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the to me. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "No, I had a dozen." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "How are you getting on?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never any more." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you is four-and-twenty." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Then I do not see the point." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor quickly through a disagreeable task. writer." electronic works usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a his cane at the bell-pull. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him she to prove their authenticity?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, said he. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until even of instruction." name is different." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "At half-wages, in fact." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Quite so." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "It was an hour's good drive." "Was your sister dressed?" character. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that one else, I think." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as spark where all is dark to me." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Dr. Becher's." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Can I be of assistance?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, father's place of business?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "No legal papers or certificates?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'In my own bureau.' "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of fatally injured? Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. which it had come upon my father." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "ARAT," I read. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Well, some hundreds of times." photograph?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows.