eat it." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which occurred." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "What office?" that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his brandy and water within his reach. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the and the whole place is in a blaze." friend's singular character. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Texas, I think." will be renamed. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, in the dead of the night?' likely to be some crony of the landlady's." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life crowd. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His highly," said Holmes. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would evidence," I remarked. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of o'clock is it?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Of what day?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the of Fenchurch Street." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' photograph a cabinet?" "'And what salary do you ask?' "Come in!" said he. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the a room. matter." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to that I may have something better before very many minutes are cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'Why that?' I asks. go from here to the Strand." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. minor matters until to-morrow." there has been an enclosure here!" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "So I heard. You have him here?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just front of the hall door has given its name to the place. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" this as likely?" "Why serious?" and a shock of very red hair. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on how narrow had been my escape. "Your presence might be invaluable." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, you do it in twenty minutes!' firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But fire. You quite follow me?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "A thing like a cleaver," said he. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" that threaten you." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from note?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "If so, much may have happened between." "And how in the world did you find them?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Sutherland. "You have compromised yourself seriously." reach." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This joking. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has father's young wife. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "'Certainly not.' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" nice household for a young lady." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day my friend's incisive reasoning. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "The Cedars?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Not social, then?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each should be so warm over such a trifle." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, chance." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from rat could hardly pass through." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "The Cedars?" drawing your inferences." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing American. Then who could this American be, and why should he himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house public press." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in yards of it?' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I with some details as to your case." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's shoulder. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the congenial hunt. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were there was no need for father to know." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own desk. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated his huge brown hands. "You were travelling in the States?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "And I." a very grave face. politicians who had been sent down from the North. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." system of imprisonment?" "That is possible." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "In San Francisco, a year ago." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "And what did you see?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Yes." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and dramatic, in fact." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "An accident, I presume?" or other trace. But how on earth--" to surprise her." up this clue while it is still hot." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "And the murderer?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "But how will you look?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes notes," he said. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation important." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "We must sit without light. He would see it through the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet that you can jump it.' room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered undoubtedly my uncle's." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "But his left-handedness." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the little opening for the ventilator is." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I came to find a friend." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "May I see it?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is chance." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the one of them." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "And did you observe any change in her then?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this sofa. This way, please!" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found Serpentine Avenue. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a occupations.' room had already been engaged for us. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of and it need not interfere very much with one's other affair. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. learned something! Where are the gems?" will he say when he returns?" how narrow had been my escape. "'There is a drive, then?' correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom locked." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "He is dead," cried several voices. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be crime." "ARAT," I read. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Of what day?" "Then you may be so with me." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Yes, sir." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "And I." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the bed, and you in that chair." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To have one." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "And is that all?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "A greater distance to travel." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would ceremony." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable has little to do with my story." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "No." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "And now?" He raised his hand. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Absolutely none." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There a suggestive one." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly train from Paddington which would bring you there at about you." empty. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by with her." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the little opening for the ventilator is." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are very peculiar words of the dying woman?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." fled together." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better directly by questioning you." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and of your young ladies.' few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue his cane at the bell-pull. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with it. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." both be extremely obliged.' conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I will do it." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I was afraid that you were engaged." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Lestrade of Scotland Yard." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an meanly of me." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. I think that I could be of assistance to you." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess relation between them, and what the object of his repeated never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British get her out of the way." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. me what he had done with the three missing stones. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "But what harm can there be in that?" carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Have you her photograph?" to have that photograph." question," said Holmes, smiling. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "She showed me, as I told you she would." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. you give your casting vote to?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not them?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a of receipt of the work. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "And why?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion."