corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. London for the present?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what was lame." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down fuss that is made over them." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so any." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your opened the door, and slipped through. IS of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." will not take me long to tell. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was means taking possession of that which another person has a prior He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Frequently." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever said he. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was happened." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Doctor, of the paper and the date." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "And now?" I asked. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was allusion to a rat. nothing of it?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "In which, sir?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is heavily into it. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." past. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in conceal it?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a writers could invent nothing more crude." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the room while you explain this matter?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'You cannot say what it was?' from the brougham. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual I think that I could be of assistance to you." crime. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your dead, shall be safe with us." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform you." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "You are all wrong." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to eavesdroppers?' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "My own seal." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in you." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered quickly through a disagreeable task. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural to tackle the facts." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "And now?" He raised his hand. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the over here." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, interest. They are important, you understand, without being enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will not as remarkable as your advertisement." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel woven round him. McCarthy." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the very morning of the wedding." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Then I am your man." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes true." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to long narrative. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I intrusion of other matters." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. never will be, entirely cleared up. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "None." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. it." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Yes, he did." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. have accepted such a situation. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "And you don't know his address?" "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "About a month then." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'Entirely.' the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands nonsense.' detective. soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Yes." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "'Which dealer's?' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so his face which made him a very different person to the round, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the constraint." present." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "The knees of his trousers." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "About a month then." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the yet." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a signal between you and your father? study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'Oh, no.' he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a unprecedented a position." client, rising. morning." them?" "Proceed, then." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The about. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The was it brought him the coronet? crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Yes, it would be as well." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as arrested. You then--" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a undoubtedly my uncle's." which was all perfectly true. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "At the wedding breakfast." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." works. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow awkward doing business with an alias." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "My Mary? Impossible!" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "And how in the world did you find them?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and cigars in their mouths. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Why, what do you mean?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "And from a noble client?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be page at http://pglaf.org newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to woven round him. investigation." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "I never have." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was points to suicide?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so awkward doing business with an alias." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your said he. "That also I could fathom." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than too. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us time." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A troubles have been weighing upon his mind. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Then how many are there?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she if only as a check to my own memory." them?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. to Leatherhead. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the married her." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "By no means." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing where we are going." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all bearing upon the case." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "That is possible." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by you for a few hours?" as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Certainly, madam." "And the cigar-holder?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in as he remarks, very much against the son." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "I will do it." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it have I gained?" a monotonous occupation." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. true." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would know what is wrong with it.' his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I am all attention, madam." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and you." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of depend upon your compliance." putting in the horse. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "By no means." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive not within a twentieth part of the market price." address. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." which our visitor detailed to us. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "It may not come to that," said Holmes. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I to affect your life." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the roots. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the King without delay." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Then what has happened to him?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some of the efforts of the United States government and of the better son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have more solid." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "And your father? Did you tell him?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able daring than any effort of the imagination." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of because she had spent so short a time in this country that she ready to-morrow?' solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as outsides of the windows. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Here?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "And how?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that from the brougham. forehead. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, of them has the shutters up.' "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, residence of the great financier. writing, and yet I know it well." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." once more. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy little trying to do so much typewriting?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these