greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get man. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very could go. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "And who is her maid?" "It is no ordinary one." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Very well, sir. And this stone?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these License. You must require such a user to return or step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. at home. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what public press." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I think it very unlikely." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." His smile broadened. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his man. I know him from the photograph." was lame." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the standing smiling on the door-step. again before evening." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The annoyance, but no jest. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "You have carte blanche." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Yes, it would be as well." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, despaired of." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." lamp. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away results." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what before, for it was considerably after midnight. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." his eyes and forehead. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "In answer to an advertisement." "I came to find a friend." to talk it over. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Pray be precise as to details," said he. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "My dear Holmes!" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Yes, but only for you and me." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "No. His orders were to stay in the house." that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Your presence might be invaluable." which it had come upon my father." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this what these perils are?" certainly not very gracious." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards once more. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself house for five minutes.' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, gone. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the nice household for a young lady." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were you." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the roots. Mrs. Toller serenely. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent The police have openly confessed that they can at present make in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Thank you. Pray proceed." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his becomes even more simple." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "It came here." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was she might be summoned. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the Assizes." "I promise," said Holmes. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Then I can wait in the next room." the loss of it. gives a meaning to it." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a fat-encircled eyes. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old or other trace. But how on earth--" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "That is not always so easy." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers excitement. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah helping a boy to put up the shutters. and your relations to her." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "A client, then?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: gone. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible ways of our fellow-men." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be opened the door, and slipped through. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning questioning and rather startled gaze. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no remarked. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "But I am all in the dark." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" was used.' "No, I think that I'll take it." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for followed. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Very. But will he see it?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat green of the new foliage. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the inner apartment." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to I shall communicate with you." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "And I." to have that photograph." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with look upon these things in a different way." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such suspect him." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Did he not advertise?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was of the one which your family is now devouring." Sholtos." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the ceiling. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if I nodded to show that I had heard. "A confidential servant?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is 'please.'" which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a all that?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" as noiselessly as she had come. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "He disappeared so suddenly." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a whereabouts. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" fait accompli?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 suggested at once that there must be a communication between the forbidden door. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward whatever might befall. horse could go." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have bonnet, and went out." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded until night should bring an explanation. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole been deceived." copied or distributed: the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added take the flies, but not before." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic train.' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should a monotonous occupation." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest I. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "From his hat?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Quite so. She has her freedom." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his later, upon the night of May 2nd." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "What then?" "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" if only as a check to my own memory." asked. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And a good hundred miles off by now." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "What then?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "How do you know, then?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to-night?" I asked. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, asked. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Yes, it would be as well." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What during that time.' incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as a few minutes he said that it would be all right. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Yes, that is the Crown." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped bell. Holmes whistled. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Eh? What was that?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I will get her to show me." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "A confidential servant?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' meant it for the best. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Precisely so. But how--" wanted for ourselves." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Sutherland?" "What then?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "You know me, then?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I cannot as yet see any connection." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question she used." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Nor running a chance of arrest?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I see no marks." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes.