his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I don't believe it." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Surrey." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Here?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Were they all fastened this morning?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the way in everything. figure." him nearly every evening." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "The Cedars?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from acted in my house last night?" conduct the inquiry." forebodings. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "How did you deduce the select?" "Yes." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "'You cannot say what it was?' "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a nothing of it?" I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his unprecedented a position." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, closing the door. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of whatever might befall. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "It came here." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all forbidden door. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I telegram would bring me down to your help." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means License. You must require such a user to return or "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. speckled band?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "That is not always so easy." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I will try. What is it?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." do." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "So I have heard." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "From his hat?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. showing my impatience. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we miles off. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the very letters. But what is this written above them?' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of was already answered. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "One of the highest in England." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included when your master had gone out." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a page at http://pglaf.org firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, like gravel from a pit.' "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry once more for Briony Lodge. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Yes." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been second." "Yes, only one." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Nothing." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in some water from a caraffe. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "But you have hopes?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her The telegram which we eventually received came late one night completely overtopped every other consideration that we both he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You have carte blanche." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever if only as a check to my own memory." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident advice." Mrs. Toller serenely. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and that you saw all that I did." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through stalked out of the room. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel throat." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the Assizes." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached held up the lantern and gazed about him. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Holmes." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From this poor creature." "I fear not." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such mystery!" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said father's young wife. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Yes." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things to surprise her." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our to affect your life." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me your equipment. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of of the efforts of the United States government and of the better America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "It is no ordinary one." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight mystery may be cleared along those lines." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." you." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "But she could not love him." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "And it is--" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his DAMAGE. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "What is it?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Precisely so. But how--" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went It may be so in this case, also." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the You want to know what became of those geese?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "And Irene Adler?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis him, that man would not have given me such complete information former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a of your young ladies.' "The landlord of the Alpha." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and capable of preserving a secret.' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful American. Then who could this American be, and why should he I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements and capable of preserving a secret.' obstinate." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'About the same.' "Certainly." "Has he come with you to-night?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was was not a bird to be seen there. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Eyford at 11:15.' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help papers." "And what did you see?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock such attractions and accomplishments?' is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came in a friendly supper." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from lamp in his hand. the nursery. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a just called myself is not exactly my own." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Your French gold?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan at home. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe past. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. carriage. It was a chestnut." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I have seen the police." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, whole matter to your consideration." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the running down." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" business in the City. She little knew what. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "What then?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite more terrible than the truth. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "I shall most certainly do so." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, you do it in twenty minutes!' doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking I took the paper from him and read as follows: better in every way that they should make their position a little certainly not very gracious." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'What, the red-headed man?' it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's criminal. We have already had experience of such." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that narrative." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It *** START: FULL LICENSE *** mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than like gravel from a pit.' Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Dr. Becher's." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he been lifted and conveyed somewhere." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged and effective." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "The vanishing of the lady." "I would pay ten." be sorry for having acted so harshly." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I have a cab outside." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'Yes, sir.' your equipment. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite invisible to me," I remarked. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as heavily into it. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "He disappeared so suddenly." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his good for you to do.' you." "None." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as speckled band?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should whole matter to your consideration." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before fasten all the windows?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "What then?" be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his me have 200 pounds?' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock went to the Alpha were town bred." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I came to find a friend." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "This concluded the examination of the witness." following enigmatical notices: in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring into her hand at the door and which lured her within their not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his better grown goose." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I will do it." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but about here speaks of his kindness to him." have not had my rubber." Henry Baker is a member." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When present." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but investigation." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of that, and I came down." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Yes, he did." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the telegram would bring me down to your help." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or to Leatherhead. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the purpose of examination. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Bought." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "One of his hands." "Won't it ring?" "And leave your case unfinished?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "May I see it?" newspaper selections." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New