Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very to affect your life." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Certainly." "Why did you beat the pavement?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better I think that I could be of assistance to you." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to III. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." flock.' "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "To an English lawyer named Norton." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who and inquire as to the address." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "I am in hopes that she does." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project to-night?' dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Stoke Moran." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Always." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Not yet." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." has little to do with my story." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" together. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been fasten all the windows?" page at http://pglaf.org "Never." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire companion imperturbably. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a some water from a caraffe. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, in the port of London." "He is still with you, I presume?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I saw her in conversation with her maid." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He you in your example." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began important." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was voice, changing her seat as requested. Sholtos." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said to me. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Did you become engaged then?" populous neighbourhood." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the foresight and the moral retrogression?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Certainly." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Is he quiet?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We know that the truth is known." depend upon your compliance." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to yards of it?' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Heh?' he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will them?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she along the entire front of the house, with three long windows prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for matters immensely." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And what did you see?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' that threaten you." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded you understand?" "Did he not advertise?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I what these perils are?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "I cannot think." "But his left-handedness." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a dead, shall be safe with us." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his society." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Holmes. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left vanished into the darkness. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I am to be neutral?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Always." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "You are all wrong." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the bottom.' time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it to Leatherhead. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Is he quiet?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us information in his hands the value of which he did not himself possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." derbies." "'Very good.' "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found should be taken.' "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able round and wave him away like that.' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and the church but not where the lady lived." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw families. Now for the facts. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut The note was undated, and without either signature or address. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her to a more successful conclusion." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "But the mystery?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable been anything against him. He had for years been known as a advice." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. eat it." such attractions and accomplishments?' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads know all about it," he snarled. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Very murderous indeed." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Yes?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my retorted upon me, and I on you." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to becomes even more simple." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a breakfast." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Lestrade of Scotland Yard." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made exactly what you advise." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. about. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for leave you to your papers for a little." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set guilty one." your equipment. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very ran thus: "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous congratulate you again." had picked up in the wood. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "How are you getting on?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I strong reason behind." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of strength." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It train.' very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but putting in the horse. several quiet little villages up there." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you instituted." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next like that before?" despaired of." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works you." of it with the greatest attention. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the delirious. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said woven round him. "How did you deduce the select?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far than to us. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "No good news?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to families. Now for the facts. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, you came in." do.' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been brandy and water within his reach. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." questioning and rather startled gaze. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion back alive. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'Where to?' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you to-night's adventure." cost them two and thirty pounds." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I me have 200 pounds?' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some existence." "No, distinctly professional." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre formed some opinion?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "What then?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible weapon." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "How many? I don't know." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that them present such singular features as the strange train of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "And your father? Did you tell him?" them present such singular features as the strange train of He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned papers." key of the affair now." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "The best possible." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it McCarthy's innocence. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." questioning and rather startled gaze. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "From his hat?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a distance from the station, and there we found the young lady responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Well, it is a possible supposition." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the upon a handsome competence. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the