Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, later, upon the night of May 2nd." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "He disappeared so suddenly." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all up this clue while it is still hot." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress comes from the middle window." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the I shall communicate with you." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes to Leatherhead. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Eyford." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "How can you tell that?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Not I." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it his fortune, and I went back to pa. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Can I be of assistance?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most 1.F. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting pity, because in other respects you would really have done very a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say out of this horrible affair." the coronet in his hand?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution of the vacancies.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the driver. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be I have it here in my museum." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, morning." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we strength of mind to control. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, written, and locked the door of the office after me. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Pray do so." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Very. But will he see it?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "This photograph!" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "If so, much may have happened between." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Cross for the Continent." questioning and rather startled gaze. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there companion. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Absolutely?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "And how did you verify them?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Where, then?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Of Friday, June 19th." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Your sister is dead, then?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of eat it." "And help." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we as this. Pray let me have the details." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the could go. "What will you say?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Entirely." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I outbreak?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the him. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a this Miss Turner." name is different." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "I cannot say that I have." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth his eyes and forehead. to have that photograph." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable with frightened eyes at his accuser. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and society." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "And now?" He raised his hand. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Certainly." October 9, 1890. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we to-morrow." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I see no marks." been." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative of receipt of the work. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the child." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and inquire as to the address." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "It surprised me." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Foundation time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was you understand?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival as the one I chose?' my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was strode off upon his way. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Ha! you find it so?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Yes, there are nearly always some there." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I am armed." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the carpenter." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "My opinion is in no way altered." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." this unhappy family?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' quickly through a disagreeable task. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you was not a bird to be seen there. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their hardly wander." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Did your wife hear all this?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "What then?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it discontent upon his features. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well weary and pale-looking. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Yes, there are nearly always some there." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I simple cases which are so extremely difficult." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with least a fellow-countryman. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, wedding?" is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "You have a clue?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His my little problems." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "My Mary? Impossible!" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a have established a very serious case against the son of the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'Certainly,' I answered. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open whereabouts. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out during the last few years, and there are many noble families to not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob habit of advancing money.' "I promise," said Holmes. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are standing smiling on the door-step. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "And now?" He raised his hand. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: should be taken.' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Who was the criminal, then?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you footfalls from the street. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Project Gutenberg-tm works. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate key of the affair now." "But she could not love him." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business you for a few hours?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Deserted you?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my was already answered. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I had no one to advise her at such a crisis." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for of Mr. Rucastle's." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project do you make of it all?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a went to the Alpha were town bred." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the strode off upon his way. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Yes." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is his knees, staring into the fire. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Never." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, the bottom.' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "But you have hopes?" your co-operation." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said shall use the carriage to-night." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Miss Holder?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased several quiet little villages up there." as yours." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. are, and they are waiting for us." License. You must require such a user to return or appointment with me for six o'clock?" "In heaven's name, what for?" unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" it means?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I cannot say that I have." "It is very kind of you." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these depend upon your compliance." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her But Holmes shook his head gravely. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal generous with you in money matters.' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "And from a noble client?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "It is no ordinary one." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent