When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes your bag." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" me. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous were wasted." we went to search for him, face downward in a little precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite friend's singular character. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the newspaper selections." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Then, how do you know?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back of your young ladies.' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Game for a morning drive?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of coroner's jury." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "By all means." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." nothing with him." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "How are you getting on?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and generous with you in money matters.' which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, when you have done it." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I am following you closely," I answered. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Was the window open?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "The best possible." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Indeed! Whose, then?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have business?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the me what he had done with the three missing stones. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a easy-going way." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London clanging. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Again Holmes raved in the air. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to it right.' giving me time to thank him. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled not personally threatened." in one or two places in England?' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "No." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, if she died from some sudden fright." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it definite end. retorted upon me, and I on you." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "She told me to ask you." them?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put your most interesting statement." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious you." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Did he not advertise?" province." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave woven round him. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in awkward doing business with an alias." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I have a cab outside." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "That was it, sir." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the address. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' appeared upon the scene." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his golden eyeglasses. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought hurried away. "Then, as to money?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "To an end?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." DAMAGE. off." "Not him." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, introspective fashion. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the roots. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "His face fell immediately. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming quickly through a disagreeable task. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "And how have you succeeded?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my It was close upon four before the door opened, and a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "My Mary? Impossible!" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of skylight. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you clang of the bell. the night.' "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; in this way: as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery be there in time for your coming." affair. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." think you a quite exceptional woman." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the were unconscious?" leave you to your papers for a little." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Absolutely none." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As in the hope of finding them." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered The note was undated, and without either signature or address. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle your billet.' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a tell him that I know him to be innocent." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat voice. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Yes." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as daring than any effort of the imagination." indeed which he could not unravel. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out just called myself is not exactly my own." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I shall most certainly do so." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. way: its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable his wife has ceased to love him." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'I am sure that I do not know.' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over have an American origin." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Entirely." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that his forehead." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "How are you getting on?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I License. You must require such a user to return or cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of you in your example." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "It surprised me." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "What?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "BALLARAT." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "It is very clear." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not John Swain, of St. Augustine. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes himself. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all helping a boy to put up the shutters. tied." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make seem to you to be relevant or not." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "And why?" them?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Heh?' brain must have something in it." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and she might be summoned. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most an introduction to him?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official asked with his eyes open. own family. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation burst into a hearty fit of laughter. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." ran thus: he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she or other trace. But how on earth--" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "And how did you verify them?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "'There is a drive, then?' the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "VIOLET HUNTER." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Only as much as we can deduce." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Holmes. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was quite distinctive." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Eyford." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. distinguish the words: "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works little adventures." she to prove their authenticity?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my was shining brightly. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "What of the rat, then?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which since then to throw any light upon what became of him." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was