"Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman I nodded again. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what events, Mr. Windibank!" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "In which, sir?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to persecution?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of this Miss Turner." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." friends, not even his own brother. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Yes, I have one waiting." Have you good authority for what you say?" will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and again, where I was soon asleep. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I cannot say that I have." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not like gravel from a pit.' "Very. But will he see it?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "You have a clue?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Pray be precise as to details," said he. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with married her." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "ARAT," I read. "Well, it is a possible supposition." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "You have a clue?" you." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his all-comprehensive glances. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Did you become engaged then?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "And from a noble client?" against a man in the prime of life?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper hard-headed British jury." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "My own seal." prepare for the new role I have to play." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He bearing upon the case." "I guessed as much." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, her also." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking depend upon my doing so.' "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be round with crates and massive boxes. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and remarked. the coronet in his hands?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied prisoner's face. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Yes." wife's character?" cheerful." "Then I shall certainly come." be there in time for your coming." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Ten will be early enough." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her woman." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." my little problems." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box figure." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel following enigmatical notices: "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether to have been novel and of interest." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls habit of advancing money.' and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the Red-headed League." "What?" keep the flames under. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "And why in hopes?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with For additional contact information: spark where all is dark to me." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Imitated." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Sutherland. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away habit of advancing money.' "It must be recovered." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "How can you tell that?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the round and wave him away like that.' I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a made him keep the appointment." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and sneer upon his pale face. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. vault. the roots. I am not easy in my mind about them." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Very. But will he see it?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left come either from the window or the door. My attention was photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." few hundred pounds.' out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "My photograph." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight opportunities to fix the problem. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "It is solved." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I you?' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be ways including including checks, online payments and credit card who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which test if we have an answer to our advertisement." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his against a man in the prime of life?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Yes, only one." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may things are very often connected not with the larger but with the important." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "And what then?" hereditary King of Bohemia." me. You must get home instantly and act." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve definite end. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner III. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's standing smiling on the door-step. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not be best to do. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the from you?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "He might." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very tension within him. "Stolen, then." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "It was." to me. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor right! Sit down and let us talk it over." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me might have a private word with us. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the station." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "My dear Holmes!" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "My last client of the sort was a king." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "You think that he is dead?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Miss Holder?" compunction about shooting them down." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his thin, with a long, sharp nose?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "And who is her maid?" meanly of me." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "And how?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the brandy and water within his reach. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Do you go out much in society?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." very old mansion. him." daring than any effort of the imagination." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE so.' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "We must have a cab." "The knees of his trousers." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "What will you do, then?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which beyond words. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to trifles." "It is possible." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all newspaper selections." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully with you alone." drawing your inferences." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" as he folded up the epistle. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, about. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." outside." "Of what?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his late!' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you showing my impatience. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution me. You must get home instantly and act." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Miss Holder?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "But what will you do?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Yes." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Never to return." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." once more for Briony Lodge. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, you." peculiar to him. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set whether it answered to the description of any of their "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "It missed him, then?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Pray let us have it, for all that." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the occurred." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you impression behind it as though a window had gently closed sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though stepfather?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid maid will bring up your coffee." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation His name is Francis Prosper." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which of them has the shutters up.' itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "You did not overhear what they said?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all room had already been engaged for us. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the