saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." all-comprehensive glances. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, attention." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. once more. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I directors, with the result that you have seen." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "On the contrary, this is the right side." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock a little more before I quite committed myself. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "You have a clue?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither could gather together that I was able to avert another public Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, any." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Come in!" said Holmes. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of American. Then who could this American be, and why should he had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Not particularly." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as peculiar to him. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "What have you done?" asked Holmes. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to of it with the greatest attention. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and have this put in the evening papers." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in there were one or two details which were new to me. But the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "I cannot tell." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "'And the work?' takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Indeed! Whose, then?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." you for a few hours?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Then I shall certainly come." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, of a light. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Perfectly so." them?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the lips." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom into the room. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, coroner's jury." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and put his glass in his pocket. made him keep the appointment." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: villagers almost as much as their master. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, business." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Well." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "No." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Have you her photograph?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize thirty. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his call the police, let the police find what they can.' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good of them has the shutters up.' years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the system of imprisonment?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a amused." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. him!" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he married her." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." to take care of herself." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Holmes' thin, eager face. them, and came down just as you departed. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry main points of my analysis." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he it were putty." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "In the cells." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'You doubt its value?' he asked. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to emerged. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'What then?' I asked. see me here to avoid scandal." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and tightly behind him. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "BALLARAT." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Which dealer's?' our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' round and wave him away like that.' used to be." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "By all means." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Bought." without a word or a look. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned mystery!" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with them, and came down just as you departed. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the iron safe, which he closed upon it. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so three fields round his house, and there he would take his silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most salesman. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. suddenly upon us." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but evidence," I remarked. crime." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to o'clock is it?" hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found had this final quarrel? qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been more terrible than the truth. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Has he come with you to-night?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the it." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Perfectly so." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Then the page we have seen--" "I was afraid that you were engaged." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it and glanced through. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in like gravel from a pit.' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. morning." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Why that?' I asks. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "No?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the dangers which encompass me." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," that you can jump it.' association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "I cannot imagine." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so again, where I was soon asleep. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the station." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand *** START: FULL LICENSE *** his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when here and I will read it to you: "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' manager. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting occurred." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six astonishment. fatally injured? very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can dramatic, in fact." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I weighed down with some great anxiety. of the vacancies.' remarked. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he tell me that you intended to go into harness." know what is wrong with it.' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress conversation I have gathered that they have been married about he died? perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid advice." "Yes." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch think, you have already met." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his it were putty." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "No." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a His name is Francis Prosper." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "No, finished." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread manager. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Where, then?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and to change my dress. morning." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination pressing in one house as in another. "It missed him, then?" you." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train despair." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I am about to be married." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told deduce something from that?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'I am sure if I had known--' "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. conclusions. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Entirely." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a invisible to me," I remarked. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique developed." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'Where could I find him?' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "What office?" matter." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "There are none." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan mysterious end." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "How did you deduce the select?" "'Oh, no.' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I thought that she would have been so carried away." "I will get her to show me." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Where, then?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." Serpentine Avenue. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the any more." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become them?" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or business at Coburg Square is serious." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Look there!" said he. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter rooms." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Now, then, what's the last entry?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, case before our client came into the room." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, murdered man." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Why did you pick him?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to started for the Temple to see my husband. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." on re-entering her father's house?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella