an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the inquest, and which are worth considering." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the inquest, and which are worth considering." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do suspect him." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, out." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, disturbance in my wife." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "She will not sell." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have ill-usage at the hands of fortune. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were used to be." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. compunction about shooting them down." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "It came here." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his fortune, and I went back to pa. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Nothing." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'And the work?' hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. looking up at the numbers of the houses." confronted him. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "So I heard. You have him here?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Frequently." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to washing it down with a long draught of water. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation cause to be." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the conceal it?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" manager. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it John Swain, of St. Augustine. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she power." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H observed. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "'About the same.' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Street. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the fire. You quite follow me?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "The King of Scandinavia." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I chair. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any answer." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. second window is the one that I jumped from." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "He disappeared so suddenly." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & take the flies, but not before." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six lids now and glanced across at his visitor. yards of it?' out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "To an end?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain present." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "By all means." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall would apply.' "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" companion. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as memory. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "No, distinctly professional." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong name is different." I leave." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this call you and give you the chance." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Witness: I must still refuse. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "My dear Holmes!" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept putting in the horse. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the Red-headed League." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch of the one which your family is now devouring." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that wedding?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had go from here to the Strand." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter to-night?" I asked. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, carriage. It was a chestnut." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'And what are they worth?' I asked. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Never." like that before?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more DAMAGE. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She ways of our fellow-men." "My private note-paper." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled page at http://pglaf.org myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a matter." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "'Why that?' I asks. round and wave him away like that.' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. a room. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Dr. Gregory B. Newby staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "I shall most certainly do so." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Then he might have called to you?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. never came back." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which You can understand that this register and diary may implicate front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "In the cells." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep have an American origin." "My dear Holmes!" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "It is his hat." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a business in the City. She little knew what. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to fear." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, think you a quite exceptional woman." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no records." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little thin, with a long, sharp nose?" answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the more solid." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural miles off. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there such person." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "No?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "In the cells." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. closely." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could might have a private word with us. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Foundation said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding ran thus: over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "It is his hat." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman not interfere, come what may. You understand?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying had picked up in the wood. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "And how did he make his money?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "On Monday." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "The doctor?" never will be, entirely cleared up. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "The best possible." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which joking. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg pictures, libraries, or plate. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, house for five minutes.' with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. is worth.' "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through of receipt of the work. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, it with his own hands." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual photograph a cabinet?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "'Then let me do so?' instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that advice." seven miles from Eyford Station.' gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be http://www.gutenberg.net must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I promise," said Holmes. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case where she found matters as described by the last witness. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "'Certainly not.' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Very truly yours, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'Which dealer's?' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "What is it, then--a fire?" brain must have something in it." instituted." "Where, then, is my wife?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one that he will be back before evening." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. would apply.' smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband any more." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "What then?" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "I was afraid that you were engaged." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too you?" but preventing her from injuring another. taking in every detail of the apartment. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'I shall certainly be there.' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Here?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and face and glided from the room. behind me. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than digesting their breakfasts at home." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had I shall communicate with you." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which went to the Alpha were town bred." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." cost them two and thirty pounds." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should noise which awoke you from your sleep?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Holmes' room. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "But his lameness?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that a little more before I quite committed myself. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. shaken than I had ever seen him. all?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "It looks newer than the other things?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what