the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a the Assizes." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there you." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. to some other building. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Cross for the Continent." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do fasten all the windows?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Of what?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Street. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. him and tried to hold him back. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Bought." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "There are none." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Yes, it was twisted." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. him and tried to hold him back. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would speckled band?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "To ruin me." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "None." man. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Count Von Kramm." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened advice." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Leave Paddington by the 11:15." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are test if we have an answer to our advertisement." think you a quite exceptional woman." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will is worth.' John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his read over the extraordinary announcement. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "And how did you find out?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between you came in." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as a good hundred miles off by now." soul! here is her carriage at the door." until night should bring an explanation. "Yes." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, garden below. it were putty." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge over with notes and figures. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I laugh and put his lips to my ear. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Will you bet, then?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger his knees, staring into the fire. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be outside. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "It is possible." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." was a lad." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Sutherland?" passage and a tap at the door. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining like gravel from a pit.' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should II. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police yards of it?' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Upon what point?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular was once confined in the cab my mission was practically me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I him nearly every evening." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. people in all walks of life. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and she might be summoned. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." like gravel from a pit.' absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made appeared upon the scene." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. bill, which interests me deeply." "No, I had a dozen." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I strode off upon his way. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid think that any burglar could have done. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the there when the Rucastles went away." grasp, he hurried from the room. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the vault. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive furiously. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a new duties?' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Nothing." "May I see it?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and followed. "Ten will be early enough." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Nothing." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "How did you trace it, then?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "My photograph." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. already been minutely examined." have got?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Edgeware Road. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship business at Coburg Square is serious." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "'How far from the body?' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do see a sister of mine apply for." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "You will not go there first?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and returning from some small jollification and was making his way considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the in a friendly supper." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it over part of the map. "What do you read?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the have been better. It is all right." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Edgeware Road. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a locked. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural better grown goose." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Pray continue your narrative." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "And from a noble client?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the little opening for the ventilator is." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet then?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. newspaper selections." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it My friend smiled. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. my special province." round with crates and massive boxes. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I should like to see him very much." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. where we are going." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then this Miss Turner." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and colonel looking down at me. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, affair. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may sake, don't!" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "No." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "And now?" He raised his hand. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had gentleman's clothes. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very gentleman's clothes. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Come in!" said Holmes. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in matter." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a other, as fresh and trim as possible. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. tension within him. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "A confidential servant?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'Most admirably.' the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "You have but to name it." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel said he at last. of his shoulders. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite and the whole place is in a blaze." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. hair?' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you giving me time to thank him. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "But what harm can there be in that?" him to go away.' one or two very singular points about this room. For example, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and put his glass in his pocket. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by DISSOLVED. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently ran thus: her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Why did you beat the pavement?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, disturbance in my wife." "Did you become engaged then?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not have I gained?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, national property. I was determined that the law should have its remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "No, I had a dozen." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was