other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "It is a murder, then?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your gone. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that where she found matters as described by the last witness. "An enemy?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Then I do not see the point." the address that was given us in the advertisement. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt and your relations to her." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to noble correspondent could be. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "It is to him that this trophy belongs." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in my room." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left late!' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "But who is he?" during that time.' "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable your troubles." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Yes, sir." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "No bad?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I would give my fortune to have them back." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge upon a handsome competence. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "'It is locked up,' I answered. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about she used." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Not social, then?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again was a loud and authoritative tap. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this gone. never came back." better in every way that they should make their position a little hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "'What do you call purely nominal?' time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness of your young ladies.' might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Eh? What was that?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I seem to you to be relevant or not." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Yes." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Only as much as we can deduce." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step James Windibank. Voilà tout!" is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon someone who had been in Australia." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what not use it unless it is absolutely needed." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Did your wife hear all this?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working crime." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties down. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been even so self-evident a thing as that." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I official police." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his orange pips. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital into her hand at the door and which lured her within their evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Holmes rather sternly. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "'You doubt its value?' he asked. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "She walked into the breakfast-room." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and have I gained?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so 11:15.' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United McCarthy's innocence. "Well?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I am to be neutral?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I should like to see him very much." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." your bag." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me 'please.'" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. spark where all is dark to me." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the address. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Yes." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Pray do so." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "But not more so than I to find you." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "It is half-past ten now." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "No, thank goodness, she did not." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by me. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "It looks newer than the other things?" "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing ready to-morrow?' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Then how many are there?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: weigh very heavily upon my conscience." instincts rose up against that laugh. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I don't believe it." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "'And the work?' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'About the same.' your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle footfalls from the street. than to us. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who to miss it." him." carried out of court." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "No." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Pray let us have it, for all that." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all national property. I was determined that the law should have its closely." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found fatally injured? sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. it." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to trifles." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Yes." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" gives a meaning to it." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must call it cruel." Pope's Court. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of feature." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered impression behind it as though a window had gently closed at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with grasp, he hurried from the room. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Your French gold?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no hurried away. What do you deduce from it?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "He disappeared so suddenly." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Do you go out much in society?" chill to my heart. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove get the tickets." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the ceiling. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, held up the lantern and gazed about him. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate hereditary King of Bohemia." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Quite so." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "You have carte blanche." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Well." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I will, Miss Turner." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left feature." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "And Irene Adler?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." certainly not very gracious." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons you in your example." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "I cannot imagine." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, indiscretion." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the respectable self." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "'Never,' said I. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Watson," he said cordially. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "A confidential servant?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "That was it, sir." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over you." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked my secret was safe in his possession. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and a shock of very red hair. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent to a more successful conclusion." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, is a common subject for conversation. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs,