"Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. is now desirous of getting those letters back." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "And why in hopes?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I have solved it." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are My friend smiled. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in congenial hunt. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very seven miles from Eyford Station.' heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Yes." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, until night should bring an explanation. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have arrested. You then--" "Yes." matter." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Clair, of Lee." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "He is still with you, I presume?" "I cannot say that I have." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Doctor, of the paper and the date." IS Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Always." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the kindly on the shoulder. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Won't it ring?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower success. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless to change my dress. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a secret." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "There are none." newspaper selections." system of imprisonment?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Have you her photograph?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Eyford." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked detained." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "No. What a strange idea!" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "To ruin me." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite obstinate." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an whatever might befall. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent window when the police appeared." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Not in the least." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and where she found matters as described by the last witness. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, and your relations to her." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Nearly eleven." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are little trying to do so much typewriting?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with brandy and water within his reach. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Does that suggest anything?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our you for a few hours?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many any." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "But to whom?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "No. His orders were to stay in the house." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'Oh, no.' neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "How did you deduce the select?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I before the coroner and the police-court." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Yes, I promise.' "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to following enigmatical notices: held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "'Is purely nominal.' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been that he has suffered." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Which surely he restored to their owner?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I woven round him. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the started for the Temple to see my husband. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the his face. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very address. had formerly been in part my own. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and suspect him." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than some terrible trap for her." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any definite end. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Stoke Moran." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual not personally threatened." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'In my own bureau.' his face. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Not yet." garden below. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer tail." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his II. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. III. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Have you good authority for what you say?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the which was all perfectly true. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his laugh and put his lips to my ear. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and been lifted and conveyed somewhere." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in anything to do with the matter?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "'Stolen!' he cried. colonel looking down at me. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any thought that she would have been so carried away." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'Ample.' morning." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. nonsense.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was where we are going." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by drawing your inferences." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Holmes' thin, eager face. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. of a light. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a it were putty." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and success. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I never have." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free his face which made him a very different person to the round, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a companion. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The man. I know him from the photograph." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." quick march!" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which what do you think they found in the pockets?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an hopeless attempt at recovering them." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a evidence," I remarked. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "The Coroner: What do you mean? "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire overpowering excitement and concern. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Did you become engaged then?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Pray do so." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "When did it break out?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. electronic works the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "What is it, then--a fire?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert he. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "But I have heard all that you have heard." here." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to ceremony." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far outsides of the windows. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." upon an income of about 60 pounds." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with thin legs towards the fire. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What IS chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If advice." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Why did you pick him?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "It certainly sounds feasible." "Where, indeed?" go from here to the Strand." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets six. Come in!" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very it." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been might help us?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to call you and give you the chance." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every must be when I saw the door open.' Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Well, it is a possible supposition." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Yes." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I ventilator." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had minor matters until to-morrow." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his as he folded up the epistle. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I do." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door strong reason behind." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "I don't say that. Perhaps." tail." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from tell them apart.' daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "We have tried and failed." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "This photograph!" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for me." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many handed it to him. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot how narrow had been my escape. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, ordinary clothes on?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "One?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought in a very precise fashion." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "You did not overhear what they said?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Have you good authority for what you say?" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "I never have." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "And your father? Did you tell him?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I cannot as yet see any connection." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath.