Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" it means?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about nonsense.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had daring than any effort of the imagination." in the hope of finding them." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could have got?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a remarked. and the whole place is in a blaze." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "It looks newer than the other things?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless way in everything. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on tied." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Not in the least." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "The landlord of the Alpha." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Was the window open?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. bare slabs of marble. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing bird of prey. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Then I do not see the point." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a pound a week." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come prepare for the new role I have to play." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "He might." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain undoubtedly my uncle's." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Imitated." Street. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a them?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a pierced for earrings?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Just look it up, then." "And why in hopes?" already been minutely examined." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe right! Sit down and let us talk it over." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual look upon these things in a different way." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 McCarthy's innocence. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could wedding?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "If I can be of use." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'Certainly not. But why?' located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." feature." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "ARAT," I read. directors, with the result that you have seen." grasp, he hurried from the room. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, is now desirous of getting those letters back." relief. "That is easily got." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was it." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it think you a quite exceptional woman." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "A confidential servant?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." have not had my rubber." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "But you can know nothing of this?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our telegram would bring me down to your help." bears upon the case?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I will try. What is it?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." and the church but not where the lady lived." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive one else, I think." "And you thought he was pulled back?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change main points of my analysis." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into detective. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'Very good.' the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning guilty one." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage weapon." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said acted in my house last night?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed during that time.' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. are windows in it, of course?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It may not come to that," said Holmes. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" so far?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to companion. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "In San Francisco, a year ago." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do felt?" the little opening for the ventilator is." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and inquire as to the address." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few breakfast and whispered something to her husband. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, nonsense.' had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. garden below. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Of what?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Project Gutenberg-tm works. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his and capable of preserving a secret.' purpose of examination. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was breakfast and whispered something to her husband. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with ventilator." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your she slowly sank and died without having recovered her over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed me where it went to?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps details." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner felt the room to be a little close.' "If so, much may have happened between." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "But what is it you wish?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen of the one which your family is now devouring." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his voice. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "9th. McCauley cleared. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently during that time.' and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours colour had been driven from his face. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "That is possible." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers locked. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The annoyance, but no jest. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I then?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of clanging. soul! here is her carriage at the door." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter individual and becomes the badge of a society." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have where we are going." was a perfect sample of the class. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to have that photograph." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but he. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous disturbance in my wife." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' rooms." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I impression behind it as though a window had gently closed for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." deduce something from that?" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the business." been with you?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the awaited us upon the table. "Proceed, then." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Yes, he did." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, hand, madam?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would both be extremely obliged.' out of this horrible affair." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "That also I could fathom." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Nothing." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and effective." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin handed it to him. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. upon the white wrist. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is during which he might have communicated with his friend the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which key turn in the lock." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and became a certainty. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" success. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Upon what point?" Mary, has deserted me." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally detective. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if face and glided from the room. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." never will be, entirely cleared up. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell