Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to Farm upon the left." whereabouts. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Yes." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that at my remark. for and were ordered to this address. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "There are none." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "An accident, I presume?" the room while you explain this matter?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was it. existence." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "It certainly sounds feasible." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Edgeware Road. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled again on its way. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all when you have done it." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the direction." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I had no one to advise her at such a crisis." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if third from London." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I have solved it." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Cross for the Continent." "Deserted you?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Witness: Nothing definite. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Yes." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "That is unusual in a young girl." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' was already answered. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Deserted you?" the loss of it. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you you." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a copied or distributed: ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "No, but the enclosure is." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "You are hungry," I remarked. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Yes, it was gone.' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "So I have heard." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have during that time.' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just here and I will read it to you: and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "What is it, then--a fire?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical fait accompli?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I came to find a friend." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my not, dad?" she asked. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Yes." "But to whom?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "What can you not understand?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which was a lad." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "He said that you could solve anything." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "To an end?" ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the himself in a perplexing position. "I am all attention, madam." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored I held the little printed slip to the light. we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place and I shall be with you presently." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "And how did you verify them?" tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, business." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the from you?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. it." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the very morning of the wedding." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There province." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Do you go out much in society?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and in. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the south-west, I see." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the instincts rose up against that laugh. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I will not look." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "No. What a strange idea!" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Yes." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty conclusions. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "'Yes.' fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "'About the same.' "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in away in different directions, and I went off to make my own call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly had no one to advise her at such a crisis." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Project Gutenberg-tm works. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Gutenberg-tm License. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "It is possible." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and gbnewby@pglaf.org "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. he died? "Very. But will he see it?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Is purely nominal.' bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes place of silver." generous with you in money matters.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered an introduction to him?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Lee, in the county of Kent." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between astonishment. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed hardly wander." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I corner of the building. "We were both in the photograph." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy one which it was hard to resist. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman when your master had gone out." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his way: have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said sentimental considerations in the background which would induce a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would night.' said he. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. which are rolled in Rotterdam." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of and looked back. "No." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." his knees, staring into the fire. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid been able to understand it, in a very few words. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a noting anything else of interest. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped my little problems." lamp. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would to me. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I hurried by. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "It certainly sounds feasible." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided do.' he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No photograph?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. persecution?" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "It must be recovered." "Of what day?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he good for you to do.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Chief Executive and Director drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, fishes. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so showing my impatience. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the and looked back. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and chill to my heart. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the clanging. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "And the murderer?" gone. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Proceed, then." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom excitement. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I throat." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Doctor, of the paper and the date." any little problem which you may submit to me." someone who had been in Australia." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'You doubt its value?' he asked. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'I am sure if I had known--' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Well." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "And you don't know his address?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I copied or distributed: sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. writer." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "But he might be a bachelor." writer." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then