"I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting been lifted and conveyed somewhere." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." photograph?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, not fit the lock." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a companion quietly. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his fishes. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me business came to an end." been able to understand it, in a very few words. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "He is still with you, I presume?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than fish-monger and a tide-waiter." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I cannot imagine." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and have this put in the evening papers." in my life." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we any." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my business matters.' "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon that you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great murdered man." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all your bag." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me passage and a tap at the door. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "And it is--" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his have got?" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'I shall certainly be there.' ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an of it with the greatest attention. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes matters immensely." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. vanished into the darkness. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open you?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 will take you up to see the machine.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow present." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder good for you to do.' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your begin with, and I had not got mine yet." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. ready to-morrow?' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "And who is her maid?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He one which it was hard to resist. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "That also I could fathom." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Yes." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Watson," he said cordially. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "'Why that?' I asks. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "No." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "But you were on a friendly footing?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you You can understand that this register and diary may implicate What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." strong reason behind." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Murdered?" wedding?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Yes, it would be as well." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into ourselves in the office." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly have one." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of our word." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "How often?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who cheerful." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the roots. Arthur Conan Doyle "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Pope's Court. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. his wife has ceased to love him." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Pray do so." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have and capable of preserving a secret.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at photograph?" "Will you bet, then?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'Yes, it was gone.' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "'Certainly not. But why?' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room chamber." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the 'please.'" anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact in the hope of finding them." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided waste of energy." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Pray do so." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "But how will you look?" business." "Quite so." answer." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "And leave your case unfinished?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Surrey." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "May I see it?" chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "What!" he roared. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "That is also quite modern," said the lady. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even this unhappy family?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. gone. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. maid will bring up your coffee." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we strong reason behind." compunction about shooting them down." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was fattened it expressly for you.' all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions invisible to me," I remarked. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over it right.' accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Not social, then?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'Then let me do so?' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'Where to?' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your would apply.' public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm eavesdroppers?' are windows in it, of course?" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Then how many are there?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp over with notes and figures. "Was he the only applicant?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one generous with you in money matters.' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the entirely devoid of interest." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he all that?" been shamefully used." me what he had done with the three missing stones. appointment with me for six o'clock?" prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and know what is wrong with it.' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "And Miss Sutherland?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or placed his cuttings. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "A greater distance to travel." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Only as much as we can deduce." ready to-morrow?' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "I have come for advice." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I impression behind it as though a window had gently closed with you?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our arrangements." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" business came to an end." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "No. What a strange idea!" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "That was it, sir." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual The summons was a brief and urgent one. might help us?" gone. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to washing it down with a long draught of water. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Did your wife hear all this?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad noting anything else of interest. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy fluttered off among the others. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing bed dies. Does not that strike you?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I fear not." that I may have something better before very many minutes are "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." yourselves in at night?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "To an English lawyer named Norton." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I came to find a friend." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the became a certainty. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which chair. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "But of what society?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in house for five minutes.' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "It is possible." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I am following you closely," I answered. get the tickets." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "I cannot imagine." you?' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I will not look." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With me. You must get home instantly and act." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Thank you. Pray proceed." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." room?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Why did you pick him?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the