wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. status with the IRS. papers on the sundial.'" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The point in the dark hollow of his hand. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Very. But will he see it?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was McCarthy's innocence. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'What then?' I asked. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I generous with you in money matters.' this Miss Turner." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a he died? thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a the coronet at all injured?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become anything to do with the matter?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Then you may be so with me." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Nothing." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "You horrify me!" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'I have already given you my word.' to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Yes, it was twisted." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the I shall continue with my miserable story. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Perhaps I have." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down people don't know." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "It is very clear." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "When did it break out?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." should be so warm over such a trifle." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the Red-headed League." hurried away. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the to-night?" I asked. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin three fields round his house, and there he would take his would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among you in your example." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. rooms." "I guessed as much." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the coronet in his hand?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with again, where I was soon asleep. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "No. His orders were to stay in the house." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are future lives." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'You cannot say what it was?' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "You have compromised yourself seriously." "How often?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Pool. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in that?' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that photograph a cabinet?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn stalked out of the room. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out horse could go." so.' wedding?" "How did he come?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "And what then?" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain such person." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Never to return." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "I have a cab outside." telegram would bring me down to your help." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H there when the Rucastles went away." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing been deceived." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the so-precious time, but come!' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "What?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly of fine shops and stately business premises that they really same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I visitors." your troubles." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. During two years I have had three consultations and one small address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the is," said he presently: donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I giving me time to thank him. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become following enigmatical notices: gone before you can get him to hospital." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'What are you doing there?' he asked. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" peculiar to him. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do overpowering excitement and concern. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "I cannot imagine." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate your most interesting statement." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest business matters.' or in danger--" obstinate." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be salesman. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers shadow pass over his face as I spoke. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may in the hope of finding them." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to take care of herself." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I see no marks." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "I am still in the dark." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire father's young wife. have established a very serious case against the son of the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and dead, shall be safe with us." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "And how?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "An enemy?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Upon what point?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six it." just called myself is not exactly my own." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and with the outside air!" listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he digesting their breakfasts at home." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. window when the police appeared." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck woman who has had her own way to make in the world. side. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think through." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport anything to do with the matter?" think that he is innocent?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become his forehead." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "And the murderer?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not is so. I know all about McCarthy." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he lost nothing by them." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows in darkness. I think that I could be of assistance to you." I held the little printed slip to the light. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "The landlord of the Alpha." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, secret." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less yet." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies his grey eyes. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "And from a noble client?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "It may not come to that," said Holmes. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Pray do so." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, look dissatisfied." business." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "On your arm?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me gentleman's clothes. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary shag which I had seen upon the previous night. take the flies, but not before." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "It is his hat." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "'Where could I find him?' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be on re-entering her father's house?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of several quiet little villages up there." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "It looks newer than the other things?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Yes, at the mines." Mrs. Toller serenely. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I have hopes." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "It is solved." Street. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the think you a quite exceptional woman." "Yes, I have one waiting." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." at a side door. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" gentleman's clothes. "Did you become engaged then?" "A client, then?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "'And what are they worth?' I asked. shall not find me ungrateful." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a them?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his these bleak autumnal evenings." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore