through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential my room." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Of what day?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "She showed me, as I told you she would." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly affection." entirely lost his self-respect." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "We have tried and failed." was feeling which was the fattest.' "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions cheerful." "None." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Pool. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "I cannot as yet see any connection." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Not in a good cause." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his article?" speckled band?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. several quiet little villages up there." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis already been minutely examined." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the in my life." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "By all means." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. British peeress.'" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Thank you. Pray proceed." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure to Leatherhead. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by this unhappy family?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "In which, sir?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "My dear Holmes!" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Look there!" said he. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Pray be precise as to details," said he. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham in one or two places in England?' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "And I to find an enemy." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "No bad?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad way in." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER whereabouts. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is tension within him. "He disappeared so suddenly." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. name is different." "At the wedding breakfast." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Mary, has deserted me." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible to miss it." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have as this. Pray let me have the details." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the to-night." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" thought that she would have been so carried away." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I was afraid that you were engaged." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided read over the extraordinary announcement. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "It surprised me." "And you don't know his address?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest prisoner's face. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a do.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some must be when I saw the door open.' "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted to some other building. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "And how did you verify them?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly astonishment. DISSOLVED. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind taking in every detail of the apartment. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical it with his own hands." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "'Where could I find him?' questionable one." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "So I am. Very much so." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out lips." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. brandy and water within his reach. it right.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Deserted you?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a some terrible trap for her." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm of note-paper. It read in this fashion: given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near the King without delay." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "And when will you call?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "That you are never beaten." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'You doubt its value?' he asked. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "What is it?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Serpentine Avenue. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third habit of advancing money.' part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black side. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to lumber-room." not personally threatened." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as vanished into the darkness. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Nothing." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and me have 200 pounds?' golden eyeglasses. "I am armed." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that joking. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "He said that you could solve anything." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in skylight. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "That also I could fathom." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I see no marks." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and for securing the situation." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at place of silver." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Here?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his voice. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing drawing your inferences." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK You want to know what became of those geese?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Nothing." gbnewby@pglaf.org "I cannot tell." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down disappearance of these gems?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been instincts rose up against that laugh. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those reach." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'Is purely nominal.' them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "'Entirely.' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. I nodded again. her also." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and legal crime." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time could gather together that I was able to avert another public recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, himself to tell his story. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "'Yes, sir.' the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "It missed him, then?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the you?' "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "The Cedars?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my views." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." photograph a cabinet?" my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very crowd. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to feature." "Certainly." "But I am all in the dark." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in affection." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the one of them." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "To an English lawyer named Norton." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and strong reason behind." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Miss Holder?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, you." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly following enigmatical notices: turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "And sit in the dark?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a gone. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of few hundred pounds.' stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered breakfast?" cigar and let me expound." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about