"I will do it." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it would then never go into court at all." room had already been engaged for us. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor bedroom door." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I fear not." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in returning from some small jollification and was making his way grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a such attractions and accomplishments?' settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is was lame." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." south, for the country is more deserted there." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I saw her in conversation with her maid." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, and that he would see to anything that turned up. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so at my remark. unprofitable." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something six. Come in!" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "And now?" I asked. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would answer." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was III. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, situation." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the page at http://pglaf.org did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the feature." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four obstinate." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it The summons was a brief and urgent one. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he him to be an active member of the medical profession." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our my former friend and companion. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. make me his representative both with the servants and with the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the child." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young retorted upon me, and I on you." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer your billet.' wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, at my own good fortune. "In which, sir?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out did not hear it also.' on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "Of what day?" very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Certainly, madam." on re-entering her father's house?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Where to?' "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Deserted you?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would hand, madam?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at papers on the sundial.'" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "'Certainly not.' "And why?" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old his huge brown hands. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "And how?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "None. Neville wrote those words." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at own family. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'Yes, it was gone.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before James Windibank. Voilà tout!" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly to his chemical studies. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "In answer to an advertisement." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which mysterious business." "The murder was done with it." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our least a most suspicious remark." miles off. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "None." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said laugh and put his lips to my ear. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "May I see it?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the loss of it. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "And your father? Did you tell him?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Yes." young Openshaw's." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, mysterious end." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "And on what day did he meet his death?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the coroner come to?" for and were ordered to this address. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "And the murderer?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the matter?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his morning." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a even so self-evident a thing as that." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of my special province." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "Where, indeed?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him quick march!" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience ashen face. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be golden eyeglasses. wanted for ourselves." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "And for present expenses?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up present strange and interesting features that it is no easy be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third imbecility!" he cried. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses through." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Because he was handy and would come cheap." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." was a lad." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Oh, fresh and glossy." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' outside. prisoner's face. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible them?" 1.F. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." again on its way. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. himself to tell his story. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making page at http://pglaf.org squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be bonnet, and went out." brain must have something in it." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, to tackle the facts." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, just called myself is not exactly my own." seem to you to be relevant or not." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I should be immensely obliged to you." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you such attractions and accomplishments?' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Dr. Becher's." details." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." over here." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Murdered?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "No." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they served to weaken the effect. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Which surely he restored to their owner?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence to-night." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the forehead. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm upon the shelf for the interim." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have man. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I writing, and yet I know it well." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' as he folded up the epistle. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he everything which you would wish to know." "'You cannot say what it was?' "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Why did you beat the pavement?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I am following you closely," I answered. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger some city in a dream. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier unkempt, staring out at me. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." cheerful." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "A greater distance to travel." "Ten will be early enough." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'You doubt its value?' he asked. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." locked. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case entirely devoid of interest." McCarthy's innocence. him. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Clair, of Lee." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "And Irene Adler?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass DAMAGE. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy tassel actually lying upon the pillow. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Perhaps I have." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, have got?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "What! Had he lost his wife?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the cause to be." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his My friend smiled. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as sake, don't!" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "About a month then." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "But it has twice been burgled." "How did you deduce the select?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "You are all wrong." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "That is easily got." "The murder was done with it." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and photograph?" him to go away.' "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Where does the thing come from?' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll your only hope of safety." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length said he at last. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get than was visible to me." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to his grey eyes. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What sooner or later she must fall a victim. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and think that any burglar could have done. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to