innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every question," said Holmes, smiling. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found name is different." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and helping a boy to put up the shutters. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "'I have already given you my word.' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Not in the least." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can directors, with the result that you have seen." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents geese which you supplied to the Alpha." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all lumber-room." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall away in different directions, and I went off to make my own International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Holmes' thin, eager face. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "What! You do not mean bodies?" to Leatherhead. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where purpose equally well?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of into the bag, and made for the door. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Watson," he said cordially. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant was a loud and authoritative tap. and the church but not where the lady lived." relief. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I be. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His it were putty." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Mary, has deserted me." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his mysterious end." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open is four-and-twenty." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried papers on the sundial.'" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Did your wife hear all this?" "Then, how do you know?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the Assizes." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand tear off another piece?' thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "I have hopes." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, spark where all is dark to me." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" awaited us upon the table. garden below. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It gone before you can get him to hospital." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Edgeware Road. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you from you?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Well, but China?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall allusion to a rat. "Well, some hundreds of times." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to delirious. "How can you tell that?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I never have." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Your sister is dead, then?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe manager. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few presented more singular features than that which was associated "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Stolen." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast sneer upon his pale face. "It certainly sounds feasible." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "What! You do not mean bodies?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a compunction about shooting them down." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Not him." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I do." he bowed and left the room without another word. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "But I am all in the dark." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. returning from some small jollification and was making his way offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while there." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and taking in every detail of the apartment. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You have carte blanche." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "A call for help, you thought?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the south-west, I see." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was anything to do with the matter?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was colonel looking down at me. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Nor running a chance of arrest?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind information in his hands the value of which he did not himself inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, do." "And what did you see?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have me what he had done with the three missing stones. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone despaired of." them present such singular features as the strange train of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'And the work?' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party friend's singular character. "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in It was close upon four before the door opened, and a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your to-night's adventure." something of him before." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Gutenberg-tm License. "Dr. Becher's." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the to affect your life." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Not in the least." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the at home. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Edgeware Road. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Never." I shall communicate with you." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She clanging. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in along the entire front of the house, with three long windows places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one despair." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the said he at last. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got imbecility!" he cried. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at useful material for showing traces. The double line a little fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I south, for the country is more deserted there." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." together. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite nothing with him." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? he. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and and the whole place is in a blaze." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "How did that help you?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be investigation." Lee, in the county of Kent." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your minor matters until to-morrow." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Sutherland. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened at a side door. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." one else, I think." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the client, rising. "Oh, yes, easily." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Bought." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Why serious?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her interest. They are important, you understand, without being purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "No sign of it?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place becomes even more simple." later, upon the night of May 2nd." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these some terrible trap for her." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your he died? "The rest you will leave in our hands." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Holmes' room. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. weighed down with some great anxiety. "Oh, yes, easily." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our better in every way that they should make their position a little that I am arrested." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "If so, much may have happened between." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Certainly." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had populous neighbourhood." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Doctor, of the paper and the date." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." know what is wrong with it.' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way meant it for the best. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that daring than any effort of the imagination." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so residence of the great financier. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the child." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back stalked out of the room. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the me. You must get home instantly and act." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with business?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "And from a noble client?" business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I yet." "Breckinridge is his name." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "He disappeared so suddenly." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "It certainly sounds feasible." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have weapon." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss