to that open window." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said there." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? nothing of it?" system of imprisonment?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and October 9, 1890. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which touch that coronet?' held up the lantern and gazed about him. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad residence of the great financier. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to I shall continue with my miserable story. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, that threaten you." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she families. Now for the facts. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a have established a very serious case against the son of the following enigmatical notices: the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Sutherland?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my pictures, libraries, or plate. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his nights." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was you came in." speckled band?" "I do." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." you in yours." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a photograph?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to questionable one." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a existence." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "No, my brougham is waiting." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly asked with his eyes open. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'Most admirably.' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "ARAT," I read. was already answered. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "The rest you will leave in our hands." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "By no means." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our searched, without anything being found which could incriminate dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party appeared upon the scene." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet bearing upon the case." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "You did not overhear what they said?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." photograph?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray ventilator." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." may have an influence upon European history." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, which was all perfectly true. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the eat it." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for definite end. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story without success. At last the little money which I had saved began asked. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the little opening for the ventilator is." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "She will not sell." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able if only as a check to my own memory." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me because she had spent so short a time in this country that she keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It people don't know." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, of campaign. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "At what time?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Stoke Moran?" said he. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a trying to your nerves." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "The murder was done with it." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Surrey." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "An accident, I presume?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late outbreak?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'Very good.' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who stalked out of the room. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent girl said." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his about here speaks of his kindness to him." down. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing lectures into a series of tales." over here." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much crackling voice. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, his cane at the bell-pull. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I power." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Thank you. And your address?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Arthur Conan Doyle beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his easy-going way." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Yes." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I husband's writing, madam." leaning back in his chair. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, to a light-house. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Never." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their electronic works "Yes." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "But you have hopes?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "None." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "None." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with are, I think, all that we need." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Edgeware Road. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother straighten it?" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to emerged. hour?' remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad that before taking the final step I should like to submit the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Yes, at the mines." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in strength." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while visitors." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "But what harm can there be in that?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might you, my dear young lady?' knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "What can it mean?" I gasped. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private directors, with the result that you have seen." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you time." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "And why?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "The gentleman I describe." "A greater distance to travel." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that it." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Holmes." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get case-book, which he consulted. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, thin legs towards the fire. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double present." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the McCarthy." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen there in twenty minutes." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But his huge brown hands. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. constraint." power." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he to have been novel and of interest." golden eyeglasses. answer." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "One horse?" interjected Holmes. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his bled considerably." During two years I have had three consultations and one small "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, about here speaks of his kindness to him." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage said he, "my real name is James Ryder." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." learned something! Where are the gems?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "The doctor?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Arthur Conan Doyle of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Eyford." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of I leave." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Henry Baker is a member." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with himself to hunt down. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." what do you think they found in the pockets?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled read it out to me." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was which we had just quitted. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "How are you getting on?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it future lives." purpose equally well?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I have my revolver," said I. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "What then?" "I was mad--insane." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the tragedy. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "We have tried and failed." "It certainly sounds feasible." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to pictures, libraries, or plate. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted if I call to-morrow?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham.