in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day a very grave face. Mary, has deserted me." business." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Quite so." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Where, then?" showing my impatience. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "I say it is." main points of my analysis." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "But I have heard all that you have heard." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an gentleman's clothes. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and capable of preserving a secret.' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able to-night." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed upon the shelf for the interim." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, for its centre. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in there." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the coronet at all injured?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at over his head with a sweet womanly caress. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There fact, we may call it conclusive." ceremony." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" pierced for earrings?" "'Ample.' the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the closing the door. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "You horrify me!" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, help us in this matter." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I have seen the police." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main young Openshaw's." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after events, Mr. Windibank!" done what I asked you, Jones?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in once more. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case speckled band?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If hereditary King of Bohemia." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to as the one I chose?' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the know that the truth is known." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "9th. McCauley cleared. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid gigantic client. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he to-night?' I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was highly," said Holmes. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The Literary Archive Foundation Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss so.' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able guilty parties." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Absolutely?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "You don't mind breaking the law?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Holmes' face clouded over. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" your only hope of safety." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Witness: Nothing definite. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." such attractions and accomplishments?' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up you." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the side-table." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired correct than the official force." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I assure you that I am in your hands." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm case before our client came into the room." province." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me on in his house." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. directly by questioning you." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Dr. Gregory B. Newby soul! here is her carriage at the door." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Was she in good spirits?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and this remarkable episode. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good the Red-headed League." these bleak autumnal evenings." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Never to return." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "And what did you see?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "BALLARAT." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have unprecedented a position." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "But what will you do?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Street. was not a bird to be seen there. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four main points of my analysis." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "This concluded the examination of the witness." "That is easily got." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe beyond words. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the one's self under obligations.' to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the coroner come to?" attention." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to papers." "Yes, it was twisted." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. with frightened eyes at his accuser. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "What will you do, then?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Sutherland?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Certainly." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this conversation I have gathered that they have been married about and I shall be with you presently." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "And is that all?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the But Holmes shook his head gravely. remarked. "My stepfather's business papers." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still manager. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the whether it answered to the description of any of their inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and the colonel ushered me in. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four your co-operation." was it brought him the coronet? and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be introspective fashion. more solid." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "And now?" He raised his hand. were unconscious?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "In San Francisco, a year ago." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the man. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "'In my own bureau.' "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a again, where I was soon asleep. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can mysterious end." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the interests were the same as his." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, union?" "He slept on the premises." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "And how have you succeeded?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the this poor creature." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." be sorry for having acted so harshly." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am papers." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle hard-headed British jury." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "And from a noble client?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "No sign of it?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Ample.' from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." sneer upon his pale face. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I very peculiar words of the dying woman?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across intrusion of other matters." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited putting in the horse. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room our word." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, infinite languor in his face. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and front of me. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with vanished into the darkness. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "If so, much may have happened between." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to tear off another piece?' rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about bill, which interests me deeply." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of answered with a sidelong glance. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, over part of the map. "What do you read?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of it." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version villagers almost as much as their master. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which must compliment you." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Pray be precise as to details," said he. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock way: closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I anything to do with the matter?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. pressing in one house as in another. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Your sister is dead, then?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I indeed which he could not unravel. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose highly," said Holmes.